Hello gecko community, thank you in advance for your help.
I am writing to ask for help in the care of my leo that has not eaten for quite some time, and I am not sure why. In February I posted that he was not eating (at that point about 6 weeks), and and I got a good bit of feedback saying she might be brumating, ovulating, or just generally slowing down due to the season and change of climate. This was comforting so I was less concerned.
Since then, however, she started eating a little more (still not as much as she used to), but then quickly stopped again. Since February I can found on ONE HAND how many times she has eaten. Being that it's almost May I am really starting to worry.
She seems to be having a harder time getting around, like her movements are more labored . I once caught her shaking a little. The way her limbs have been kinda folding underneath her lately (pictures below) makes me think she might have metabolic bone disease (causing her to not eat).
I've never really used calcium powder before, but the other day I got her to lick some of it off of my finger (PROGRESS!), and now there's a small dish of it in the tank.
Seeing how it's been so long since she ate regularly, I'm taking a hard look at my own set-up to see if that's the problem. Below are pictures and a questionnaire about about my gecko and my tank. I do not have an under tank heater, but I am going to get one today, maybe that will help. PLEASE let me know if you see something that stand out as something that is causing my gecko harm. I am a first time owner and I'm doing what I can to ensure her survival. Thanks!
Gender: Female
Age: She was young but not an infant when I got her 9-10 months ago
Weight:
Source (pet store, breeder, previous owner): +++++
Do you handle him? If so how often? It used to be more often, now not so much
Cage: type, size: 29 Gallon tank
Substrate provided? Zilla reptile carpet-like rug
What types of hiding places are provided? Cool hide, warmer hide
Is there a humidity hide? location?
Lighting:
Artificial lighting? http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-day-bulbs/11442-523208/zoo-med-zoo-med-day-night-reptile-bulb-combo-pack.html?utm_source=googleproductads&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=Cj0KEQjwr5G5BRD_n-T0pf7x4ucBEiQAlxHOP01cH5MTMTJlYKap3tHxVVaGwocSfB79n1_Ke_leM3IaAo988P8HAQ
incandescent (“screw-in” bulbs): wattage(s) ?
fluorescent (tube bulbs)?
Temperature:
Do you have a thermometer(s) in the cage? what type? Standard, electronic
What is the temperature in the warm part of the cage? under the warm hide? In the coolest part? Day time: 86F on warm side, around 80F on cool side. Night time: upper 70s-80F
Which hide does she/he spend most of her time? 50/50 cool/warm hides
Humidity:
Is the humidity measured? Range: around 50% on my humidity gauge
Diet:
Insects, list type? Mealworms, crickets
Are they “gut loaded”? If so with?
How often do you feed your reptile? I offer food to her about every other day, she will not eat
Please list any supplements used. How are they given and how often?
What calcium brand are you using? with D3, without or both? Zoomed Repti-Calcium with D3, in a dish in the tank
Is the calcium in the tank with D3 or without?
Multivitamins?
Please list any recent additions/changes in the diet:
If your reptile is sick, please describe the signs and how long your reptile has been showing these signs: about a month and a half to two and a half months
Is your reptile’s general activity level normal, decreased, or increased? decreased
Is your reptile’s appetite normal, decreased, or increased? DECREASED
Have you noticed any of the following?
Weight loss, Weight gain: Have not noticed significant weight loss, but her limbs seem to have lost some muscle mass
Discharge from the eyes or nose
Increased breathing rate or effort
Change in the droppings: reduction in droppings
urates white or yellowish
Abnormal skin color or shedding
Parasites on the skin or in the feces
Weakness: WEAKNESS, difficulty in movement
Here are pictures of her and of the tank set-up:
I am writing to ask for help in the care of my leo that has not eaten for quite some time, and I am not sure why. In February I posted that he was not eating (at that point about 6 weeks), and and I got a good bit of feedback saying she might be brumating, ovulating, or just generally slowing down due to the season and change of climate. This was comforting so I was less concerned.
Since then, however, she started eating a little more (still not as much as she used to), but then quickly stopped again. Since February I can found on ONE HAND how many times she has eaten. Being that it's almost May I am really starting to worry.
She seems to be having a harder time getting around, like her movements are more labored . I once caught her shaking a little. The way her limbs have been kinda folding underneath her lately (pictures below) makes me think she might have metabolic bone disease (causing her to not eat).
I've never really used calcium powder before, but the other day I got her to lick some of it off of my finger (PROGRESS!), and now there's a small dish of it in the tank.
Seeing how it's been so long since she ate regularly, I'm taking a hard look at my own set-up to see if that's the problem. Below are pictures and a questionnaire about about my gecko and my tank. I do not have an under tank heater, but I am going to get one today, maybe that will help. PLEASE let me know if you see something that stand out as something that is causing my gecko harm. I am a first time owner and I'm doing what I can to ensure her survival. Thanks!
Gender: Female
Age: She was young but not an infant when I got her 9-10 months ago
Weight:
Source (pet store, breeder, previous owner): +++++
Do you handle him? If so how often? It used to be more often, now not so much
Cage: type, size: 29 Gallon tank
Substrate provided? Zilla reptile carpet-like rug
What types of hiding places are provided? Cool hide, warmer hide
Is there a humidity hide? location?
Lighting:
Artificial lighting? http://www.petmountain.com/product/reptile-day-bulbs/11442-523208/zoo-med-zoo-med-day-night-reptile-bulb-combo-pack.html?utm_source=googleproductads&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=Cj0KEQjwr5G5BRD_n-T0pf7x4ucBEiQAlxHOP01cH5MTMTJlYKap3tHxVVaGwocSfB79n1_Ke_leM3IaAo988P8HAQ
incandescent (“screw-in” bulbs): wattage(s) ?
fluorescent (tube bulbs)?
Temperature:
Do you have a thermometer(s) in the cage? what type? Standard, electronic
What is the temperature in the warm part of the cage? under the warm hide? In the coolest part? Day time: 86F on warm side, around 80F on cool side. Night time: upper 70s-80F
Which hide does she/he spend most of her time? 50/50 cool/warm hides
Humidity:
Is the humidity measured? Range: around 50% on my humidity gauge
Diet:
Insects, list type? Mealworms, crickets
Are they “gut loaded”? If so with?
How often do you feed your reptile? I offer food to her about every other day, she will not eat
Please list any supplements used. How are they given and how often?
What calcium brand are you using? with D3, without or both? Zoomed Repti-Calcium with D3, in a dish in the tank
Is the calcium in the tank with D3 or without?
Multivitamins?
Please list any recent additions/changes in the diet:
If your reptile is sick, please describe the signs and how long your reptile has been showing these signs: about a month and a half to two and a half months
Is your reptile’s general activity level normal, decreased, or increased? decreased
Is your reptile’s appetite normal, decreased, or increased? DECREASED
Have you noticed any of the following?
Weight loss, Weight gain: Have not noticed significant weight loss, but her limbs seem to have lost some muscle mass
Discharge from the eyes or nose
Increased breathing rate or effort
Change in the droppings: reduction in droppings
urates white or yellowish
Abnormal skin color or shedding
Parasites on the skin or in the feces
Weakness: WEAKNESS, difficulty in movement
Here are pictures of her and of the tank set-up:
